Timor-Leste's parliamentary endgame

Nearly six months after an election that left Timorese politics in a state of protracted uncertainty, the manoeuvrings in the young nation’s parliament seem likely to reach their endpoint next week. Last month the Fretilin-led minority government failed to pass a budget rectification measure needed to fund new ministries and programs. The rejection doesn’t itself threaten the government, but the opposition Parliamentary Majority Alliance, or AMP, has also tabled a motion of no-confidence that could be heard as early as 8 January, when parliament resumes. If it’s passed, the government will fall.